Swansea City aim to sign Jonathan De Guzman on permanent deal

Michael Laudrup will do everything he can to make sure Swansea sign Jonathan de Guzman in the summer.

Michael Laudrup will do everything he can to make sure Swansea sign Jonathan de Guzman in the summer.

De Guzman is only on loan at the Liberty Stadium from Villarreal until the end of the season, and again highlighted his talent with a fine double in the 3-1 win over Stoke.

The 25-year-old midfielder has hit his stride in recent weeks and his ability on the ball has been a key part in Swansea’s high-tempo attacking approach under Laudrup, who previously worked with the Dutchman at Mallorca.

Villarreal paid almost £7million to capture De Guzman’s services in the summer of 2011, before being relegated from the Primera Division at the end of last season.

That paved the way for the loan switch to south Wales, but De Guzman is under contract until 2016 and the Spanish club are likely to want to recoup as much of their original outlay as possible.

Stats: De Guzman's season so far

Laudrup will not try to force a deal through in January, but will look to complete a permanent deal come the summer.

“He is on loan until the end of the season, and then what happens happens, said Laudrup.

“Of course he is a player I would like to stay and I hope we can work a deal out with Villarreal, it would be great.

“I think Jonathan is very happy here but again, there are more interests to consider and it is not enough that I want him, that Swansea want him and what Jonathan wants.

“It depends a lot on what Villarreal want, but we are going to try and do what we can and we will see if it’s enough.”

And the Dane was full of praise for the playmaker’s recent performances, which have seen him start all but one of Swansea’s seven matches during a hectic three-week period.

“He covers a lot of space and when he starts to run with the ball he keeps the pace, which is very difficult,” said Laudrup.

“He scores goals as well and has assists and has been important for us. I am happy, happy for him.”

While De Guzman is one man Swansea are keen to keep, Danny Graham has appeared to be heading for the exit door.

Swansea have received bids from Sunderland and Norwich for the striker, who contributed a brilliant assist for De Guzman’s second against the Potters, and he is thought to prefer the chance to return to his native north-east.

The home crowd pleaded with Graham to stay during his second-half cameo appearance, and defender Ashley Williams has revealed his team-mates are doing the same.

“We’ve just been saying to him that we want him to stay, saying ’don’t go’,” said the Wales captain.

“We all want him to stay, he is a top player and has done well here.

“We definitely don’t want to see him leave, and I think if you asked any player here they would say the same thing. We want him here.

“He is going to make the decision on whether he stays or goes. He has to make the right decision for himself and his family and his situation.

“Obviously, we are telling him we want him to stay, but it is his decision whether he stays or goes and we will back him whatever he chooses.”

Swansea now turn their attention to Wednesday’s Capital One Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea, where they can secure a first appearance at a major domestic cup final.

The Swans hold a 2-0 lead, but Williams knows the job is nowhere near done against a side of Chelsea’s quality.

“It’s such a big game for us as individuals and as a club. We went up there, did really well and we have set ourselves up nicely,” he said.

“But we know the job is not done and it will be as tough here as it was up there. They will come at us and we will be ready for that.”

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